President Donald Trump stated he had an MRI scan during a visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. 'I did. I got an MRI. It was perfect,' the president told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to a week-long trip in Asia.
At 79 years old, Trump is one of the oldest presidents in U.S. history and did not specify the reason for the MRI, which is typically utilized to investigate various health issues. The scan occurred earlier this month during which his physician reported he was in 'exceptional health.'
'The doctor said it was some of the best reports, for the age, they've ever seen,' Trump added on Monday. In response to inquiries about the reason for the MRI, he suggested reporters 'ask the doctors.'
Dr. Sean Barbabella affirmed that the appointment was a 'scheduled follow-up evaluation' covering advanced imaging, lab tests, and preventative health assessments as part of Trump's ongoing health maintenance. He confirmed Trump's 'excellent overall health.'
MRI scans leverage powerful magnetic fields to produce detailed images inside the body, crucial for viewing soft tissues, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
This year, the White House disclosed that Trump had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition where blood pools in the lower limbs due to failure of leg veins to effectively return blood to the heart. The diagnosis came after Trump reported swelling in his legs during a visit to his doctor.
They noted that chronic venous insufficiency is 'benign and common' in older adults, and certain recent photos of Trump showed makeup covering bruises on the back of his hands, attributed to frequent handshaking rather than the vein issue.
